Greek 'stars' raise money for charity

The stars came out Monday night at Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity.

Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity, 501 S. Allen St., and Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, 108 South Cooper, sponsored the Superstars Kick-Off Dinner.

Guests included University President Graham Spanier, State College Mayor Bill Welch and Vice President for Student Affairs William Asbury, said Phi Sigma Kappa Superstars Chairman Jay Willard.

Superstars is the largest independently run Greek philanthrophy on campus, said Willard (junior-administration of justice). Phi Sigma Kappa has donated more than $350,000 to the Leukemia Society of America, he added.

Superstars Chairwoman Katie O'Toole said her sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma, participated in this event because two groups working together produces a better effect than just one group.

"We have to do our part in making some sort of difference in the world," said O'Toole (junior-biobehavioral health). "Superstars provide us with the opportunity to do just that and to give to people who aren't as blessed as we are."

Superstars, which benefits the Leukemia Society of America, was founded by Phi Sigma Kappa after one of their members, Vincent Scott Sandoe, died of leukemia in 1984, Willard said.

Willard said he wants to show that fraternities and sororities can make positive contributions to the University and to the community.

"The fraternity system here at Penn State doesn't have that great of a reputation and what we want to show to everyone is that fraternities are not all about wild parties and beer -- we do good things," Willard said.

Richele Ward, campaign director for the Leukemia Society, said the society depends heavily on Phi Sigma Kappa to select them as their philanthropy each year.

"In the past six years, through their Superstar event, the brothers of Phi Sigma Kappa donated over $150,000 to leukemia research," Ward said. "Their efforts to raise this money have been outstanding."